Category: Social Work

Social Work Spotlight: Kinna’s House of Love

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KINNA’S HOUSE OF LOVE

This month, we’re shining the spotlight on an extraordinary organization dedicated to spreading love and support in the Quad Cities. Kinna’s House of Love is on a mission to assist those facing various challenges, including homelessness, domestic violence, sex trafficking, rape, and trauma. This organization’s driving force is its founder’s passion and her own experiences with sex trafficking, homelessness, and abuse. Her ultimate vision is to create a compassionate and inclusive society where everyone is valued and treated equally, free from judgment. More importantly, she aims to establish a safe and secure environment for those dealing with abuse.

To achieve these goals, Kinna’s House of Love offers a range of programs and services:

  • Kinna’s Corner: A safe place for children and teenagers at risk of physical or sexual abuse. Kinna’s Corner provides therapeutic activities such as art therapy and play therapy. High school students can also benefit from programs focused on financial planning, budgeting, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
  • Coats and Hygiene Drive: Kinna’s House of Love conducts coat and hygiene drives to assist individuals experiencing homelessness. The Davenport Public Library is partnering with Kinna’s House of Love for a Coat Drive through November 20th, 2023. The donated items will be distributed at the Winter Wellness Event at the Davenport Public Library | Main on December 4th, 2023, from 10 AM to 12 PM. Please consider donating winter items such as coats, gloves, and socks at 318 E 7th Street. For drop-off arrangements, please call 563-200-8064.
  • Home-Cooked Meals: Kinna collaborates with various organizations and restaurants to provide home-cooked meals for those at the shelter. These meals are available every Sunday at the Corner of Vine and 5th Street. This is important because most organizations serving meals to those at shelters are closed on Sundays. Kinna’s House of Love also ensures shelter members receive meals during holidays.
  • Job Fairs: Kinna partners with other organizations to organize job fairs for adults, offering job-seeking assistance and programs to eliminate employment barriers.
  • Expungement Clinics: Through a partnership with Iowa Legal Aid, Kinna’s House of Love hosts expungement clinics to help individuals with criminal records overcome barriers to employment.

Kinna’s House of Love is at 318 E 7th Street, Ste 205, Davenport, IA 52802. To learn more about their programs and services, please visit their website at www.kinnashouseoflove.com or call  at 563-200-8064.

Holiday Assistance Programs

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HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES IN THE QUAD CITIES

The November Resource Spotlight highlights programs offering holiday assistance to families in the Quad Cities. Registration is currently open for most of these programs, providing Quad City families the opportunity to manage their budgets during this period and address urgent needs. Below is a list of current programs providing holiday assistance.

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TOYS FOR TOTS QUAD CITIES – October 1- November 24, 2023

The 2023 online request for toys started on October 1 and will end November 24.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Children must be 6 months -12 years old to register.
  • You must be a resident of one of the following counties: Scott, Muscatine, Clinton, Rock Island, Mercer and Henry Counties.
  • After submitting an online application, you must verify in-person with your ID and children’s birth certificates
  • Verification is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am – 6 pm starting on October 20th until December 2nd. (Closed on November 10 & 11)
  • Verification office address: 1 Montgomery Drive, Moline, IL 61265

Toy Application Link: Request a Toy

Toy Application Information:

  • Sunday October 1: Online Toy Application Opens
  • Friday, October 20: In-person verification begins
  • Friday November 24: Online toy application closes
  • Saturday, December 2nd: In-person verification ends.

Toy Distribution Days:

Friday December 8 – 9 am – 7 pm

Saturday December 9 – 8 am – 4 pm

Saturday, December 16 – 8 am – 4 pm

Sunday, December 17 – 9 am – 7 pm

For more information, email rock.island.il@toysfortots.org or call 563-296-3842

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FRIENDLY HOUSE FOOD AND GIFT BASKETS – November 6-10, 2023

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Available to residents whose address is within the following area: Lincoln Ave to Brady Street and South of Central Park Ave. (West of Brady street, South of Central Park Avenue, East of Lincoln and Elmwood Avenues)
  • You must bring a photo ID, proof of address and Social Security card for everyone in your household.
  • Applications are taken the first week of November for December distribution.
  • Gifts are available for children 16 and under.

Sign Up:

  • November 6-10 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am and 1:30 pm to 3 pm.

Distribution Date:

  • Wednesday, December 15 from 9 am – 10:30 am.

For more information, please visit Friendly House website or call 563-323-1821 x17.

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MLK CENTER ANNUAL CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY GIFT

Eligibility:

  • Children must be within ages 3 years to 12 years old residing in the Quad Cities
  • Must have picture ID to pick up gifts.
  • Identification must match the parent/Guardian name on the registration form.

Gift Distribution Dates:

  • Thursday, December 14, 2023 – 1 pm – 5 pm
  • Friday, December 15, 2023 – 1 pm – 5 pm
  • Saturday, December 16, 2023 – 1 pm – 5 pm

Sign Up:

Registration is now open, click here to register!

For more information, contact MLK Center at 309-732-2999.

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SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE – November 1-24, 2023

Eligibility:

  • Applications are now being accepted at the Davenport and Moline Salvation Army locations through November 24.
  • Families can get toys for children up to age 15 and holiday food boxes

Sign up:

  • Make an appointment by calling 563-324-4808 for Scott County Residents and 309-764-2811 for Rock Island County residents.

For more information please visit Salvation Army or call 563-324-4808.

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ST ANTHONY’S CHURCH – HYVEE VOUCHERS FOR THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS

Distribution

  • Thanksgiving vouchers distributed on November 14, 2023 – 9 am to 12 pm.
  • Christmas vouchers will be distributed on December 12, 2023 9 am to 12 pm.

Eligibility:

  • Be a Davenport Resident
  • Bring an ID or a piece of mail showing your address.

Social Work Spotlight: Bridge Appointments

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BRIDGE APPOINTMENTS

This month, our resource spotlight focuses on Bridge Appointments, a newly introduced service now available to Eastern Iowa residents through the Eastern Iowa Crisis Region System. While many are familiar with the crisis system’s emergency hotline, few may know about the additional support services it offers, all aimed at strengthening our communities.

Bridge Appointments were created in response to the lengthy and intimidating process many individuals face when seeking psychiatric care, especially if they are inconsistent with provider visits. So, what exactly are Bridge Appointments?

Bridge Appointments, as defined by the Eastern Iowa Crisis Region System, are appointments with a psychiatric provider to bridge the gap for individuals needing behavioral health medication. Through telehealth, individuals requiring these medications can receive a psychiatric evaluation and prescription, helping them until they can secure ongoing psychiatric care.

To qualify for this free service:

  • You must be an Eastern Iowa resident aged 12 or older.
  • It’s available to residents of Scott, Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, and Muscatine counties.
  • You must have a scheduled ongoing psychiatric care appointment before a bridge appointment can be scheduled.
  • A care coordinator will be assigned to assist you through the process.
  • No insurance is required, as the Eastern Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services Region funds the service.

If you need a bridge appointment referral, you can visit the Davenport Public Library, where a social worker can assist you. Alternatively, you can contact any Eastern Iowa Region Crisis System staff member.

For more information about Bridge Appointments or if you have questions, please email amy.gold@unitypoint.org or danielle.atta@unitypoint.org or visit https://easterniowamhds.org/eastern-iowa-crisis-system.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or requires emergency assistance, please dial 988 or contact the 24-Hour CRISIS LINE at 855.581.8111.